"Here's to a positive 2008"

As one door closes and another opens tonight @ 12, I think today is a good time to reflect about accomplishments/what life changing events have occurred in my life during the course of 2007. Overall, I feel like I've grown up a lot and begun to understand a little more about who I am. This year I haven't been afraid to do things that I've never done before and I'm really proud of myself for that.

My first list is dedicated to the positive experiences of 2007.



2007: A year of firsts

• David. The first guy I have fallen for both emotionally and physically. My first true love. My first long-term and slightly long distance relationship. (l yr!!) And the first guy that I have learned to accept and even love his flaws.
• Prom Fashion Show. I planned it and put up with a lot of annoyance and stress just so my classmates would have something to remember their senior year.
• Flight Yearbook. The months of hard work, deadlines, and late nights came to an end and I still continue to be really proud of the final product and my performance as an Editor.
• Prom. Not a first, the fourth actually, but It was definitely the most fun!
• Graduation. What an emotional/great day. I was able to give the welcome speech to my graduating class and I felt as though my family was very proud of my accomplishments. I worked SO hard in high school and it has payed off in countless ways.
• Intern. During the summer I worked at the Rogersville Review and I really liked it. I got to learn a lot about how a newspaper is ran as a business and how hard it is to work under constant pressure of deadlines. I got to interview a politician, record a radio commercial, interview random people at the 4th of July Celebration, and typeset a book. Plus I met and worked with some really cool people.
• Church. Started going back, well not to mine, but David's. Yeah it's Baptist. It's been hard getting used to it, since I'm used to the calmer Methodist way. I have likes and dislikes about both, but I can't let that get in the way of the true reason for going. It's no doubt that God has seen me through some tough situations this year and I'm grateful for that.
• Moving. Probably the hardest thing I've went through this year and it's not over. I still feel really torn between being on my own and being back home where the people I love are. Part of me likes to think that I would have been better off staying home, but I know that I would have hated driving to JC and I would have regretted not being brave enough to do something different. I have met some really great people and I like being in a slightly large city. Plus, it has been my goal and reason for all my hard work in high school, so I'm very happy with my decision.
• College. Wow. It's an adjustment that's still in progress. I now realize why so many people don't make it past freshman year. High school prepares very little for the "sink or swim" college world. I mean I'm just not used to the concept of being able to choose if I want to attend class or not and the fact that I can just get up and leave if I want to. Plus, Everyone knew me in high school and in college I'm just like everybody else...it's hard to get used to the "little fish in the big pond" concept.
• F-R-I-E-N-D-S. Bummer. The show is already off-air, but I just discovered it and I LOVE it. I think I'm gonna start getting the seasons on DVD.
• Puffin-corn. Mmmm. It's the best snack ever! A mix between a Cheeto and popcorn...I'm hooked!

So there are the highlights. Now presenting the goals of 2008. (Notice I didn't say "resolutions." We all know that word is just jinxed!)

2008: What's next

• Strengthen Mine and David's relationship even more.
• Keep kicking butt in college.
• Find another internship or somewhere beneficial to work during the summer.
• Make some new friends and still keep the old ones.
• Get a "new-to-me" car.
• Start playing guitar again.
• Go to the beach!!
• Become closer to my family.
• No "freshman 15!!"

Well...that's not a lot. I think I can handle it...

I hope that somehow this blabbering has inspired you to do a little assessment of the past, as well as a chance to look forward to the wonderful experiences that are ahead. Don't spend time dwelling on screw-ups. We all have them and as much as I would LOVE to hit myself in the face for some of the stupid decisions I have made there is no use punishing myself. I can be forgiven (starting with myself) and there are things to look forward to. I really can't stand people who find something wrong with everything, so do you and me both and favor and keep your head up!

Peace, Love, and thanks for reading,

a.marsh

**quote of the day: "Live and Learn."